Apparatus for treatment of foodstuffs



MayZO, 1930.

c. BEARDSLEE APPARATUS FOR TREATIIENT OF FOODSTUFFS Filed Feb. 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwuentoz LBeqli'dslee May 20, 1930. F. c. BEARDSLEE APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF FOODSTUFFS Filed Feb. 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 20, 1930 UNITED STATES 1 1x171;N oFFmi:

FRANCIS C. BEARDSLEE, F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIG-NOR TO B. M HUFFINE,

1 V J. I. HUFFINE, AND HIMSELF gASJOINT TRUSTEES PARATUS FOR TREATMENT 0F roonsirnrrs Application filedFebruary 21, 1928. Serial No. 256,003.

a This invention relates to'an apparatus for treatment of foodstuffs, and it is an object of the'invention toprovide an apparatus of. this kind which serves to deliverthe foodstuflf for use or packing in a manner wherebythe various ingredients are thoroughly andefiec tively commingled. 7

Another ob'ect of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thiskindaoperating to thoroughly commingle the various ingredients comprised in the food composition and which also permits'saidingredients to be subjected 'to the action of ultra violet rays to being treated.

effect anfanti rachitic activation.

' A further object of the inventionis to pro vide an apparatus of this kind whereby the materials during'treatment are efiectively maintained insuspension and whereby such materials when in suspension are subjected to irradiation by ultraviolet rays.

'An additional object vofvthe invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind wherein the materials to be treated are subjected to requisite motion by pneumatic means together with an arrangement to assure effective separation and collection of the materlals after a The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement .of the several parts of my improved apparatus for treatmentjoffoodstuffs, whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive'and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will behereinafter more fully set forth. The novel features of my invention-will hereinafter;-bedefinitely claimed.

In order thatmy inventionqnay beithebetter understood, I ,will nowproceed to describe the same with reference 'to the accompanying drawings, wherein zf Figure 1 is a d1agr mmat-ic ,lview illustratin anaa aratus construct'e'diin accordance r t V. .i

pp 7 any other materlal perm tting the effective closed'; a

t Figure 31s sectional view taken substan tially on the line Figure 2; 7

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the fan casing and showing the relative arrangement of the feed hopper and air intake;

.Figureo' 1s a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the communications at-the lower portion ofthe irradiating tank.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, T denotes an irradiating tank of desired capacity and cylindrical in cross section, the lower portion l of said tank being conoidal with its apex downwardly disposed. Incommunication Withthe portion 1 at said apex is a depending spout 2 which is in communication with a conduit 3leading in a'conventional manner from the casing 4 of a conventional blast fan, saidfanL-operatingto force a blast of air through the conduit 3 and spout 2 into theirradiating, tank T through the bottom thereof. Also in communication withthe casing 4, preferably at the axial center thereof, is an air intake spout 5 flow of. air through which being under control of -a'conventional valve 6. This spout 5 at a point preferably in close proximity to the casing 4 has in communication therewith a discharge spout 7 depending from ,a feed v hopper 8 inwhich the various'materials to be admixedv or commingled are initially de'-- posited.

, The force offthe air blast through the conduit 3 andinto the tank .1 is sufiicient to draw the materials withinfthehopper 8 into the tank T and to effectively maintain the same in suspension within the tank and in agitation so that suchlmaterials may be subjected to irradiation by;-ultra-violet rays projected within the tank T through the suit-ably positioned lamps 9. These lamps 9. may bevof any typeor 'charactercapable of producing ultra violet rays 'and it is to be understood that the tank T has associated with eachof such lamps'a window 10- of (gluartz gla'ss or the tank T, preferably adjacent to the bottom thereof, a sight window 11 which permits ready visual access within the tank. ,7

The top12 of the tank T, as herein disclosed, is substantially'concavo convex with its convex face upwardly disposed and incommunication with the tank T at the axial center of" the top or head 12 is a carry-off pipe 14. This pipe 14 immediately adjacent to. the. ank .1 e ten s p ard y h re o but is continued by-a-reverted portion :lfi" which is continued for communication within the upper portion, of aseparating tank S.

The pipe 14 with its reverted'portion 4 provides a gooseneck structure which has a tendency to initially bring into quiescence the force of the airblast as it passes upwardly through thetank T' andout through the-pipe line 14 so that whensucli blast enters the tank .S its force is considerably reduced. 1

i As herein set forth, the upper portion 15 of'the tank-S is cylindrical in form while'its' lower portion gl6 isfco'noidal with: its apex downwardly 'jdisposed, The top 17 of vthe tank S,' as herein embodied, is also subatantially coneavo convex with its'co'nvex face'upwardly directed and in communication with the tank S; at substantially its axial center and throughlthis top 17 is an air vent Arranged. within the upper or, cylindrical portion 15 of the tankS and concentric to each other and to said portion 15'a re the cylin dricjal: members/19. 'These members 19 depend'from and have their upper ends closed by the top'l'lof the tank S with the air vent 18 "in communication through said top 17. with the'central or inner inmber19. v

These members 19 are open at their'lower c ends with the central member having its lower end terminating above the lower end ofithe succeeding member 19 which in turn terminates slightly above thelower margin of the cylindrical portion 15 0f the tank S." It is also to be noted that the members 19' are of pronounced varying diameters so that p a relatively large space is provided between the members 19zsurrounding thee-central member 19 and that the outer member. 19- is of a diameterinateriallglessthanthe diameter ofthe portion '15 o the tank so that a material space isprovidedbetween said'outer member 19' and the peripheral wall of the portion 15'.""It is'als'o to benoted'thatthe extension 14 of the pipe line has'communi cation within the portion 15 ,ofthe tank S adjacent the top '1'7'thereof so thatthe air blast and its load ventering the upper portion o of the tankwillcome into direct contact with the upper portion of the outer member .19

and, as said blast whirls around said outer member .19, it will also enter within thesp'ace between the two members 19, and into the central member 19. This action serves to bring the air into a state of substantialvquiescence so thatthe load carried by the air blast after it enters the tank S will readily drop by gravity to the bottom of the conoidal portion 16 thereof. In other words, the airand its load after enteringthe tank S are eflectively separated, the load or materials dropping by gravity to the bottom of the tank S and the air entering within thecentral member 19' passing out through the vent 18 to the atmosphere. V '8 To furthenassure the reduction of the air blast as it enters within the tank S'being.

brought. to a stateifofjcquiescence, I have in communication with the spacesbetween the outer member 19 and the peripheral wall of:

the portion 15 ogf the tank S and also-with the space between the. two members'19'the suction pipes 20 which lead to a common 'orf V manifold suction pipe 21. r This pipe 21 1 leadsito and is in communication with'theair supply pipe 5 and at a point preferably between'the fan casing 4 and the'communication between the spout 7 of the hopperf8 and 7 said supply pipe 5' By this assembly it will i V i be notedthatthe action of the blast fan, will serve to create suction within the pipe 211an1d' its branches 22 *thereup'on'drawing out the air received Within the upper portion 15 of the tank S, said suction, however, being in; sufficient to lift or carr off the ingredients conveyedinto theftank es pfipe r and its extension 1 42: tion 16 of the tank S is'continued by a dis charge pipe 23 leading to a conveyor 24, here in disclosed as of a spiral type, and which is 'driven in anypreferred or desired manner as is also true of theblast'fan working the casing'et. i' This conveyor 24; carries the materials "dischargedfrom the tank S'to aboot25. The material'sreceived'within the boot 25 are carried upwardly by a conventional elevator 26 driven as preferred,said elevator 26 'delivering through a chute 27 within a mixing hopper28. This hopper-28 at substantially its axial center is providedwith avertically disposedagitatingmember 29 preferably'in the form Ofa spiral operating to lift'jupwardly materials within the central portion of the hopper 28 and thereby'assuring an cf 7 1 i fective admixture or ("zommingling of the various ingredients com composition.

The lower portion 28has leading therefrom a suitable discharge hopper 30 adapted 'tofcarry ofithe finished closes the Vfiowthroughc a branch pipe 32 herein disclosed as leading from the upper portion of the pipe 23. This branch pipe 321 leads to and discharges withintheifeed-hop per 8 so that when desired and particularly through the carry- 5 A e lower or apex end er the conoidal pori the tank T;

during those periods when the flow through the pipe 23 is closed the separated food ma I terials within the tankS will be returnedto the feed hopper duit 3 is prevented by the adjusting of the swinging valve 34 into closed position with respect to the conduit 3. It is to be understood, however, that when the pneumatic means is properly functioning this valve 34 is moved or adjusted into a position to close any flow through the pipe 33.

The pipe 33 delivers to a suitably positioned conveyor 35 also preferably of a spiral type and driven in any desired manner and this conveyor 35 discharges into the boot 25 hereinbefore referred to so that the materials as removed directly from within the tank T through the pipe 33 will be properly delivered within the mixing hopper 28.

As'the various movable parts of the appa ratus as herein embodied may be drivenin any preferred manner it is not deemed necessary to describe in detail the driving means as generally indicated in Figure 1 as it is believed this will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention PPertains. I

An essential feature of the present apparatus resides in the effective manner inwhich the air is stilled or brought into substantial quiescence after entering the separating tank S asotherwise the effectiveseparation of the food ingredients would be difficult to obtain and at the same time there is avoided any tendency of such materials or ingredients being caused by the air blast to be drawn a second time into the irradiating tank T.

The advantage of an apparatus of this kind resides in the fact that particular care must be exercised to assure the effective mixing or commingling ofthe various ingredients comprised in either poultry or dairy foodstuffs as otherwise the proper balance will vnot be obtained. I

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an apparatus for treatment of foodstuffs constructed in. accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptibleof some change and modification without departing from ,the principles and spiritthere'of and for this reason I do not wish to be understood 1 as limiting myself to the precise arrange- 8 and can be carried through V ment and formation of the several'parts here- 'in shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I; claim I 1. An apparatus for mixing foodstuffs comprising a tank, a supply hopper, a conduit leading from the hopper to the tank, a fan for directing an air blast through the conduit into the tank, said blast being of sufiicient force to draw the materials in the hopper into the tank and to maintain such materials in suspension and in agitation within the tank, a sep:

arating tank, a carry-0E pipe leading from the upper portion of the first named tank and dischargingwithin the separating tank, said air blast also carrying thematerials through the carry-off pipe into the separating tank, means within the separating tank for bringing substantially into quiescence the air uponlentering the separating tank to permit the materials carried intotheseparating I tank bythe air to readily separate therefrom, and a suction pipe leading from the separatingtank to the conduit, the fan for "creating the blast of air through the conduit also creating a suction through the suction pipe.

2. apparatus for. mixing foodstufis comprising a tank, a supply hopper, a conduit leading from the hopper to the tank, a fan for; directing an air blast through the conduitinto i the tank, said blast being of sufficient force to draw thematerials in the hopper into the tank and to maintainsuch materials in suspension and in agitation with-- in'the tank, a separating tank, a carry-off pipe leading from the upper portion of the first named tank and discharging within the separating tank, said air blast also carrying the materials through the carry-01f pipe into the separating tank, means within the separating tank for bringing substantially into quiescence the-air upon entering the separating tank topermit the materials carried into the separating tank by the air to readily separate therefrom, and a'suction pipe leading from the separating tank to the conduit, the fan creating the blast of air through the conduit also creating a suction through thesuc-f tion pipe, the suction created within thesuction pipe by said fan being insufiicientto carry off the materials delivered within the separating tank. u

3. An apparatus for mixing foodstuffs duit leading from the hopper to. the; tank,

afan for directing an air blast through the I conduit into the tank, said blast being of a sufficient force to draw the materials in the hopper into the tank and to maintain such 7112.0. comprisinga tank, a supply hopper, a conr aratlng tank.

5. An apparatus for mixing foodstufi's' ing the materials through the carryoff pipe the separating tank, said air blast also carryinto-the separating tan means Within the separating tank for bringing substantiallyintoquiescence the air upon entering the separating tank to permit the materials carried into the separatingtank by the air to readily "separate therefrom, a suction pipe leading fr'orn'the separating tank to the conduit, the

fan .for creatingjthe blast of air through v the conduit also creating-a suction through the'suction pipe, an air intake spout in com- 7 munication with the conduit at a point adjacent to the-fan, and a ValveWithin the spout for controlling the flow therethrough, V

'- 4. An apparatus for mixing 'foodstufi's comprising a tank, a supply hopper, a conduit leading from the hopper to-the tank, a fan for directing an air blast through the conduit 7 into the tank,.saidblast being of sufficient forceto drawthe materials inthe hopperinto the tank and to :inaintain such materials in suspension and in agitation witliinithe tank, 'a separating tank, a carry-01f pipe leading from the upper portion of the first named Y tank and dis'charging Within the separating tank, said air blast also carrying the ma- 7 terials throughthe carry-off pipe into the separating tank,'me'answithin the separating tank for bringing substantially into quiescence the. air'upon entering the separating tank to permit thematerials carried into the separating tank by the air-=to readily separate therefrom, and a suction pipeleading from the separating tank to the conduit,

' the fan for. creating the blast of. air through the'conduit also creating a suction through the suction pipe,'the carry-oil pipe being reverted'to initially quiet the air as it passes th'erethrough and before entering the sepfan for forcing the ai'r blast throughthe con duit also 'creatinga suction through saidpipe.

Intestimony whereof I hereunto 'aflix my signature.

. FRANCIS G. BEARDSLEE;

V comprisinga tank,"a supply hopper, a conduit leading'from the hopper to the tank,'a

fanifor directing an air blast through the conduit intofthe tank, said 'blast bein'g of sufiicient forceto draw the materials in the hopper into the tank an'dt'o maintain such materials in suspension and in agitation with, in theLtank, a separating tank, a carry-oii pipe leading from the upper portionof the first named tank and discharging Within the separating tank, said air blast also carrying the materials through the carry-oil pipe into the separating tank, a series'ofnestedmem- V hers within theseparating tank closed. at their upper'endsand open at their lower ends, 

